Opossums

Opossums have a bad reputation, mostly due to their unhygienic and grimy appearance. They are actually an underdog and an important part of the food chain, often eating thousands of ticks per week. Nonetheless, opossums are not a critter you want near your family or pets, as they can be aggressive and are carriers of dangerous diseases. For opossum removal and trapping, call (817) 431-3007 today!

Common Opossum Problems

• Presence inside barns and outbuildings
• Attacking pets and livestock
• Food seeking behaviors under decks or patios
• Transmitting of diseases to both humans and pets

 

Getting Rid of Opossums 

Opossums are not meant to interact with humans or pets because of the ticks/parasites and their disease-spreading capability. Diseases like leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis can be fatal. Don't worry — we offer worry-free opossum removal and trapping. We can also repair any opossum damage. We can get rid of opossums in your Wildlife X Team® yard. Call (817) 431-3007 today!

Do opossums hibernate?

Opossums do not hibernate. They choose a warm spot to stay in and often move every few weeks. Your crawlspace may be on their list if it isn’t properly sealed!

Where do opossums live?

Opossums are found across North America. They will live in suburban areas, forests, and large cities as they are quite adaptable. Wherever they can find food, they will go!

If I see an opossum during the day, does it mean it has rabies?

Not necessarily, but do not approach the animal. It may be looking for food, and you don’t want it to feel threatened as that’s when it may get aggressive.

More About Opossums

• The opossum is a medium-sized animal that is found inhabiting farmland and forested areas of North America. The opossum is thought to have evolved from the basic marsupials that lived in the jungles of South America.
• The opossum is often referred to as a possum, although there is no direct link between the possums of Australia and the opossum of America. The opossum is the only species of marsupial that is found outside of Australia and its surrounding islands.
• The opossum is found inhabiting areas of grassland, farmland, and woodland in North America. The opossum is also found in urban areas where the opossum can be a pest as it feeds on rubbish and food that it finds lying around. The opossum is generally found in areas that are close to water.
• The opossum is known to be one of the world’s mammals that do not carry rabies. Opossums are also thought to have some immunity towards the venom of certain snakes such as pit vipers and rattlesnakes.
• The opossum is an omnivorous animal and will eat almost anything that it can find. Opossums mainly feed on insects, frogs, birds, snakes, small mammals, and earthworms. The opossum is also a great scavenger and will feed on leftover kills of other animals along with road-kill.
• The opossum has a number of natural predators in its environment although the main predators of the opossum are birds of prey such as eagles and owls, foxes, cats, and dogs. Humans are one of the main predators of the opossum as they hunt them for meat but the opossum is also commonly killed on the roads by cars.
• As with all marsupials, the female opossum has a pouch in which it rears its young. The opossum gives birth to as many as 15 babies, which are born in just a couple of weeks. After birth, the opossum babies, crawl up into their mother’s pouch where they continue to grow and develop until they are a couple of months old.
• The opossum is an animal that is not threatened with extinction although due to deforestation and habitat loss, opossums are becoming increasingly common in urban and suburban areas.
• The opossum is found inhabiting areas of grassland, farmland, and woodland in North America. The opossum is also found in urban areas where the opossum can be a pest as it feeds on rubbish and food that it finds lying around. The opossum is an omnivorous animal and will eat almost anything that it can find.